Combination switch and safety-fuse.



J. s. JOHNSTON.

COMBINATION SWITGHAND SAFETY FUSE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.12 1908.

Paterited Dec. 31, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1 .1. n6 w wm J. S. JOHNS-TON. COMBINATION SWITCH AND SAFETY FUSE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.12, 190B.

Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

2 MEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR ATTORN EYS U ITED sTATEs PATENT orrion;

JAMES s. JOHNSTON, or 'UTICA, NEW YORK, ,ASSIGQNOR, BY DIRECT AND ivrnsNn AS- SIGNMENTS, To JOHNSTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, or UTICA, Nrjiw YpRK,

A CORPORATIONOF NEW YORK.

COMBINATION SWITCH AND SAFETY-FUSE.

7 To all whom it may concern.

' of Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Switches and Safety-Fuses; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it .appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, andto the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved combined form of electrical switch and safety fuse, that is simple, eflicient'and well adapted to meet the require. ments of such a device in a'practicable and satisfactory manner.

The device embodies means whereby the fuse that has become spent or burned out may be readily replaced by a new one. Further the device permits of the observation of the fuse at all times.

Other objects willappear by reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a face View of a section of a switchboard with a pair of my improved switches mounted thereon, and shown in open position, in connection with other accessories of the board. Fig. 2 illustrates a longitudinal sectiorrof one of the switch parts, in connection with a section of the board and other parts which are accessories thereto. Fig. 3 is a similar sectional View to Fig. 2, taken on a plane at right angles with the section of Fig. 2, the parts being shown in closed position. Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on line l4: of Fig. 1. Fig. 5-is an enlarged detailed section of a modified form of construction. Fig. 6 is a face view of a section of switch board with a pair of switches of modified form of construction in position thereon. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the switch members as shown in Fig. 6 and in closed position. Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on line 88 of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a detailed sectional View of afuse and its mountings employed in construction.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

Application filed March 12, 1908. Serial No. 420,575.

Referring 'to the reference letters and figures in a more particular description, 10 and 11 indicate the two parts of a tubular container, which telescope with reference to each other, the former of brass or conduct ing metal and thelatter preferably of glass and at least of non-conducting material. The part 10 is mounted to slidelongitudinally in a spring clip 12. The part 11 is formed with a metal cap 13 received in a spring clip 14, and the cap'has an encircling enlargement 13 received in the transverse slot of the clip 14, whereby itis held against longitudinal movement. The tubular containers are provided in pairs, secured together as to parts 10 for longitudinal move ment by a cross bar 15 of insulating material, on which cross .bar is provided a handle 16. The clips 12 are respectively electrically connected with the bus bars 17 and 18, and

'the clips 14: are electrically connected with the two ends of a'distributing circuit.

lV1thin the capped ends of the part 11 'is disposed a fuse wire 20, one end of which is in electrical contactv with the cap, and.

this fuse wire is further inclosed, largely Y for the purpose of'support, in a tubular case 21. At each end the fuse wire will preferably be constructedfiwith an enlargement provided by twisting if desired, whereby the end becomes larger than the opening through .the tubular case 21.

In the part 10 is provided a contact coil spring 22 supported on a stem 23 from the head 24 closing the end of the part. When the parts 10 aremoved away from the clips 1% into the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. the circuit is broken as between the end of the contact spring 22 and the end of the fuse wire 20. hen moved in the opposite direction and into the position as shown in Fig. 3, the circuit is established from the clip 12 through the body of the part 10. the

head 24, .thestem 23, and spring 22, the fuse 20, the caps. 13, to thevclip 14. I In case the quantity of the current becomes excessive, the fuse 20 will burn or blow out in one or both branches of the circuit. In the event the 'fuses are blown gout, or for any other eason it becomesdesit'able, the switch with the fuses are readily removed by the operator by means of the handle 16 withdrawing he pair of containers bodily from the face of the switch board. the same passing out 110111 the spring clips 12 and let-., Il hen so removed the caps 13 can be removed and the-fuses with their cases re placed by others. After being put in workmg order. the switch, as a whole. can be returned to its position on the switch board either while in open or closedposition by locating it properly with reference to the clips 13 and H- and forcing it back into position in the clips.

The containers may be filled with oil it dosired, or, rather partially filled; that is, to

a certain extent, which would permit the telescoping movement in such position that the contacts are completed. The friction of thepart 10 in the. clip 12 is sufficient to maintain the'switch in open or closed position and hold the springs 22 under sufficient compression to compensate for slight variations as between the two containers of each pair and variations incidentto temperature, etc. Inrthe event of any sparking or arcing. when the switch is' opened or closed, the same isj entirely inclosed 'in the containers and the damage and danger incident to the arcing is minimized. When a fuse is burned out, itis also inclosed and'protected in such a way that all damage or danger therefrom is obviated.

By making the part 11 of glass, the condition and position of thecontact end of the-fuse Wire may be observed and noted readily.

In the. modified form of construction shown i'n Fig. 5, the parts 11 and 13 are essentially the same. In lieu of the form of fuse .wire and. case therefor. another device is substituted follows: A. tubular case 25is provided, preferably of glass. having secured'on itsends by screw-threading caps 26 and 27, the former being a closed cap as to its end and the latter a flanged cap. There is introduced in one end of the case '25 a tubular l'ieaded-fuse receiver 28. The headed end of the fuse receiver 28 is held between the end of thecase 25 and the flange of the .cap 27. and this receiver contains a fuse 29 which extends longitudinally through an opening therein and is provided with an enlargement at each end. The fuse 29 is substantially half the length of the case 25. and the balance is occupied by a conducting spring 30. one end of which engages with the end of the fuse and the other end rests on the cap lVlien in closedposition, the spring contact 22, similar to .22 before mentioned. will engage with the cap 26 to establish the"circuit at this point. In case of excessive currentthe fuse 29 will be burned or blown out, which fact can be noted through the parts 10 and 25, when these are both of glass, and by removing the clips 14 are not transversely slotted.

thes'witcha jbefore pointed out and removing the cap 13. the whole (lGVlCG. consisting of the containers 25 and the parts mounted thereon. can be bodily removed and a new one-quickly substituted.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. 6, T, and 8, spring clips 1212 and 1-l-14-, similar to those heretofore described, are provided. eXcept that Mounted in these clips 12 and 11 respectively are longitudinally movable switch members consisting of a central tubular section 10 of insulating material and end sections 11 and 12 of conducting material. the former adapted to occupy a position within the clips 12 or be displaced longitudinally therefrom. and the latter being considerably elongated withrefercnce to the length of sect1011.:1-1 and in all positions of longitudinal movement occupying a position in the clip 14:; The end sections 41 and 42 are provided with plugs 43 and t3. respectively entering the ends of the part 4-0 and preferably screw-tln'eaded into the same. Introduced between these plugs is a fuse wire 41- and a compensating and connecting spring 45, l the two together establishing electrical con-' i nection between the section 11 on the one end and the section 42 on the other end. The fuse alt will preferably be received in a tubular casing 16 of insulating material, which will give support to the fuse wire, particularly in resisting the pressure of the spring 45. \Vhen the switch is in open poi sition, as shown in Fig. 6. the circuit is broken by reason of the metal section 41 being removed from the spring clip 12* and the spring clip only finding bearing on the insulating tube 40. ll'hen moved to a po- I sition at the other limit of its movement, however, the section etl becomes located in the spring clip 12 and electrical connection is established through the parts described I to the spring clip 14". In this position the parts are shown in Fig. 7. In like manner,

as pointed out with reference to the previously described construction, the switch may be removed bodily from the spring clips 12 and l t either while the switch is in closed position or open position, and when so removed it can be dismantled and the fuse examined or replaced as occasion may require. In this laterally described construction. the fusefis protected andsupported in an effective manner and all trouble or accident from the fuse burning out is obviated and the parts may be readilydisinantled for the replacing of a damaged fuse or otherwise.

It isevident that other modifications and variations .in .and' from the construction herein described may be made Witho'utdeparting from the spirit of my invention, as defined, in the appended clalms.

- comprising a pair: of

relatively to thevfirst members and also in circuit, fuses, means for supporting said fuses, and means for engaging and disengaglng said fuses during the'aXial move -ment of the members.

'2. In a device of the character described, a pair of axially movable members, contacts associated therewith, means for maintaining the contact with one member, means for breaking contact with another member, and means for insulating said members.

-3. In a device of the kind described, a pair of axially movable members, contacts associated therewith, means for maintaining the contact in one member, means for breaking the contact with another member, a fuse, a compensating contact with said fuse, and means for insulating said members.

4. A"'combined switch and safety-fuse, comprising longitudinally movable members for making and breaking a circuit, means for controlling the longitudinal movement, fuses, and means for yieldingly contacting with said fuses,

5. A combined switch and safety-fuse, c prisinglongitudinally movable members foi; making and breaking a circuit, means foi controlling .the longitudinal movement,

fuses, housings therefor, means for yield ingly contacting with said fuses, contacts for said fuses, and means, whereby saidfuses may be rejected from said contacts.

6. A combined switch and safety-fuse, comprising longitudinally movable members for making and breaking a circuit, means for controlling the longitudinal movement,

fuses, housings therefor, means for yieldingly contacting with said fuses, and contacts for said members.

7. A' combined switch and safety-fuse, comprising a pair of fixed members in circuit, a pair of members longitudinally movable relatively to the first named members and also in circuit, fuses, means for supporting said fuses, and means for engaging an disengaging said fuses during the movement of the members.

8. In a device of the character described, a pair of longitudinally movable'members, contacts associated therewith, means. for maintaining the contact;with one member, means for breaking contact with another member, and means for insulating said members.

In witness whereof, I have afiixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this f dayof March 1908.

JAMES S. JOHNSTON.

Witnesses JOSEPH A. FIRSCHING, GEO. E. RENDELL.

dso 

